The (Almost) Mid Year Freak Out Tag | 2024

[@benreadsgood]

FREAKOUT! Always a joy to see you two together, and you’ve reminded me I need to schedule in doing this tag!!

[@SavidgeReads]

I look forward to seeing it in due course.

[@omololaagbe-davies877]

Lovely video. Now I must watch all the ones where you're together before I get to the rest. Also a lot of recommendations for my TBR.

[@SavidgeReads]

Glad you enjoyed it. Hope you keep enjoying all the videos!

[@juliananino2000]

I died every time the clip of Chic singing popped up 😂 comedic timing at its finest

[@SavidgeReads]

Hahahaha, I am so pleased to hear it and that you enjoyed it.

[@TheEmzies]

Love Louise's top!

[@SavidgeReads]

🍋

[@smileycindy]

Always a pleasure to catch a video of you two together 😄

[@SavidgeReads]

Glad you enjoyed it Cindy. You’ve another coming early next week!

[@bibliosophie]

always like how the two of you banter and bounce off of each other, and this vid was particularly gold 💖

[@SavidgeReads]

Awww thank you Sophie, I am delighted you enjoyed it ❤️

[@daisy4750]

I love your lemon top!

[@SavidgeReads]

Hahaha. I assume you mean mums 😉

[@zoobee]

a lovely and charming mother and son relationship, and a lovely happy go lucky vibe to your literary discussions which is very very enjoyable even when the discussions are about serious books and issues

[@SavidgeReads]

Awwww thank you.

[@TheFellowshipoftheBooks]

One of my favorite videos of the year thus far! Truly enjoyed it! 📚😀

[@SavidgeReads]

Awww thank you so much, that means a lot, I am chuffed.

[@Sarahsreadingjournal]

These are my fave videos to watch every year. Very happy to see one a few weeks early 🤩 Glorious Exploits sounds like such an interesting book- I'm intrigued!

[@SavidgeReads]

Glorious Exploits is quite unlike anything I have read, the way it is so funny and so heartbreaking and just has something brilliantly 'other' about it. It felt like a very different read to me and I think about it all the time.

[@camillalucyify]

Clear is absolutely wonderful. It was recommended to me by the lovely Kate from Harris and Harris Books and was a 5 star read from me

[@SavidgeReads]

It’s brilliant isn’t it. As is Kate.

[@p_p_p_p_7732]

I would really recommend Losing Eden by Lucy Jones too. The audiobook is great as well. Read both Matrescence and Losing Eden by her this year and adore her writing!

[@SavidgeReads]

Ooooh I’ll pass that recommendation on to mum when I see her next week!

[@monisharmuk]

I did not know that on the same day, I subscribed to both channels, which belonged to the dynamic mum-and-son duo.

[@SavidgeReads]

Awww that’s lovely to hear. Thank you! Hope you enjoy both the channels.

[@taneesewilson8844]

Very fun video and insert for this ‘freak out’ book tag Simon😁 loved it! Of course also looking forward to the ‘ranking and ranting’ 📚 videos on each of your channels. Really enjoyed laughing along with you and your mom ( aka Tim would call him a knob!😂) Also agree with you about Birnam Wood 😠though and Brotherless Night😢Have Matrescence, Ordinary Human Failings, and Blue sisters on my tbr. I’ve had a slow start this year📚 but won’t ‘freak out’ about it. Lol

[@SavidgeReads]

No need for freaking out at all, well not in a bad way, it’s fun to freak out in a fun way now and again. Glad you enjoyed the video.

[@sonfederman8212]

Winter in Madrid was wonderful That book introduced me to C.J.Sansom

[@SavidgeReads]

I think it was my second of his. Remains my favourite.

[@cindyhaiken5644]

I could not stop laughing from every freak out insert! What a riot!!! I love this tag, so the earlier the better. What a tease not to share your favorite book of the year so far!! Can’t wait for the WP videos and the Emezi interview. Will think of a question to ask.

[@SavidgeReads]

You know me Cindy, I love a tease… and now you see where I get it from. Ha!

[@bethmw28]

Speaking of being a teeny bit early... this was magnificent timing to check KZbin!

[@SavidgeReads]

Ha. How lovely the timing was so aligned. Lol

[@enidlacob1157]

You two are the best. I loved Such Ordinary Failings and am getting through the Shardlake series I can’t wait for the new Jackson Broide I too love a good crime novel

[@SavidgeReads]

I need to head to more thrillers again. I watched the adaptation of Jane Harper’s The Dry last night and might watch Force of Nature and then head back to the Aaron Falk books with Exile. Maybe. My thriller senses are certainly tingling. Hahaha.

[@kirstyhatton1857]

It is always a pleasure to see you both together. Can't wait for the Booker prize videos!

[@SavidgeReads]

Oh we won’t be doing the Booker I don’t think. The Women’s Prize though, prerecorded and scheduled for next week.

[@Tristan-L-Space-Books]

I'm so happy to see another Tales of the City fan! I really want to read Mona of the Manor.

[@SavidgeReads]

I can't recommend it enough, though also I would say hold off because if that is it... well, like me you'll be bereft once it is over. That said, he has said previous ones were the last. I did grill him on it when I hosted him in Bristol and he was adamant, we shall see.

[@Tristan-L-Space-Books]

@@SavidgeReads I'm someone who appreciates finality, so I think it will be good closure. Have you seen the 2019 limited series on Netflix or read any of his other books?

[@SavidgeReads]

@@Tristan-L-Space-Booksooh I’ve read all his books. Every single one. I’m a super fan and the Tales of the City series are one of the few books I reread. Especially if I’m ill. It’s like being with old friends.

[@Tristan-L-Space-Books]

@@SavidgeReads they are definitely comfort reads for me too. The narrative of coming from a repressive and closed community to an effervescent queer found family is very near and dear to my heart. It was very much my experience when I moved from Idaho to Seattle, Washington. Just call me Mary Ann I guess 😅 I'm very interested in Logical Family, too.

[@tanyam6197]

Dinner with Christos? Lucky you two. He does come across the way you describe. I heard him speak on a panel this year in Australia. Will we see any clips Simon?

[@SavidgeReads]

Christos was lovely. Sadly no clips as Chris forgot to film the event and we were too busy chatting before and eating and chatting after the event. We are DMing now about maybe doing something… in Australia!!!! We will see.

[@tanyam6197]

@@SavidgeReads That’s exciting!

[@lynniepie52]

Ya’ll are too adorable!!! I want to get to Glorious Exploits and now intrigued by CJ Samson… glad I read Brotherless Night since it’s received so many accolades!

[@SavidgeReads]

Did you enjoy Brotherless Night? I hope so.

[@lynniepie52]

Honestly, I liked The Storm we Made(your recommendation?) better…I was able to connect with those characters and felt a little distant from the characters in Brotherless Night….when are you going to read some Percival Everett????? Just read a short synopsis of Huckleberry Finn and you’ll totally get James…

[@carolewatson2113]

Thank you, Savidges! I’ve been in a real reading slump so some great recommendations

[@SavidgeReads]

I hope you’re out of that slump pronto. Actually no, I hope you’re out of that slump when the time is right. You can’t rush a slump, it needs to do its thing.

[@carolewatson2113]

@@SavidgeReads getting there with Cleopatra and Frankenstein!

[@cecilialau_]

Always a joy to see your face pop up on the screen - and a chill one with you mum even, what a delight. I want to focus on books for pride this month but first read in July will (hopefully) be Cleo & Frank, I can’t wait. Also, fully agree that Akwaeke Emezi is brilliant, I hope you love Little Rot, another one I’m slightly obsessed with before I even read it… Hope your reading year will turn from fine to fab soon!

[@SavidgeReads]

I love that expression 'another one I am slightly obsessed with before I even read it'. I get that way about books and had never managed to articulate that about a book and now think it could be a whole idea for a video, ha. Thank you.

[@cecilialau_]

@@SavidgeReads anytime!

[@leeh4343]

Oooh Birnam Wood has odious characters you love to hate - exciting! Reading it for bookgroup later in the year. 😊

[@SavidgeReads]

You will have quite the discussion, we did at Patreon book club. It was a great book club pick.

[@doreene11]

😂😂 Ahhhh😂😂awesome video guys, as per usual 👏👏👏

[@SavidgeReads]

Thank you!!!

[@bookquilteraz]

Go Louise! Love you and your mom----I am about to spend 7 days traveling with my Mom (fingers crossed we both come home sane) . I am taking a book for each plane trip ( there and back ) know that I can pass them off to her when I am done. When the trip is over I am going to spend the entire summer trying to catch up on the books I bought for my birthday last month (20 books). I only have 6 preorders for the entire summer so hopefully I will get some read. Starting the trip with The Last One by Will Dean and Speculation in Sin by Jennifer Ashley

[@jenniferrosebruce6385]

Lovely Louise 😊 I will also be travelling in July with my daugher for 15 days. We are so different, yet so alike. 😊 will take a few recs by the Savidges along! ❤

[@SavidgeReads]

Hahahaha I have a week with mum next week and I have my fingers crossed for the same outcome. Booking accommodation has tested that a little already. Hahaha. Hope you have a fab time and how lovely to have all those books waiting for you when you get back!

[@bookquilteraz]

@@SavidgeReads Had a blast--the best we've ever had together---the drama was all the cousins. Also found a local bookstore and picked up 5 books.

[@janebowell3985]

Hello 🎉 A great vlog as always thank you 🎉 Simon , me neither I have not read a good thriller for a while . I have just ordered Swift River by Essie Chambers. hmmm I’ll see , I was looking for a lighter read.

[@SavidgeReads]

I think I’ll be heading to more thrillers in the autumn. Unless I go off on holiday and maybe then I’ll pack one or two.

[@miriamtraynor936]

Love your videos 😊

[@SavidgeReads]

Thank you!

[@lolaroo2100]

You guys are so cute ❤, what a fun video😊

[@SavidgeReads]

Thank you!

[@miriamtraynor936]

Looking forward to your Woman’s Prize video

[@SavidgeReads]

Ooh you’ve two next week. One on each channel.

[@tanyam6197]

❤❤❤

[@SavidgeReads]

💜📚💜📚

[@ellenmadebookclub]

I need to get to Coco Mellors already! I posted my review/rant about Sociopath last week, a month after I read it, and the thoughts still haven't settled in my head. It was very enjoyable and very thought-provoking, just get to it so we can discuss ^^ The Elodie Harper that Lousie mentioned is also on my tbr, as well as half of these FRANKLY. Lovely video! love the freakout!s! 😂 It will be my first time getting to do this tag, so I'm very excited 🤓 Oh, and for translated fiction, have you read Stolen by Ann-Helén Laestadius? Translated from Swedish, it's a crime novel, first in a series, Nordic Noir centred around a Samí girl (the indigenous people of Scandinavia). I wouldn't call it a thriller exactly, but in that direction.

[@SavidgeReads]

You do need to get to Coco Mellor's indeed, everyone does hahaha. I shall save your rant on Sociopath until after I have read it. I have seen Stolen in a few wrap ups and not been sure it is for me. When I need see it in a bookshop I will pick it up and see how I get on with it. Ta for the recommendation though.

[@ellenmadebookclub]

@@SavidgeReads You’re very welcome to 😊 No it’s probably not for everyone, it wasn’t quite what I expected but I liked it and I want to judge the three parts as a whole. I’ll get back to you on that in a year or two ^^

[@KirstyPritchard-n2l]

Reading Cleo & Frank at mo and loving it 📚

[@SavidgeReads]

It’s great isn’t it!

[@maartjedegroot9598]

I love you two ❤

[@SavidgeReads]

Thank you very much.

[@TheWriteStuffWC]

Love Emezi!!!

[@SavidgeReads]

Same! Very excited for that interview.

[@enidlacob1157]

I thought you were re doing that room

[@SavidgeReads]

I am. You can’t see all of the library from this angle 😉

[@shawkitty2524]

The last discussion on the video had me wondering: over the course of years, you have read hundreds of books, primarily fiction--do you think overall that reading these books have enriched your life? Does it ever feel like you've just been killing time if they've been fiction? Do they really change your life and make you think differently?

[@SavidgeReads]

Yes. Totally. I think fiction can often actually have more power to make you think differently than non fiction, as I think it can make you empathise and feel emotions more fully than non fiction which often educates but doesn’t leave me changed or emotionally floored. I like to think how I talk about most of the books I loved in this video you can see how they enrich my life and the pleasure they bring.

[@librariesandlabradors]

The editing 10/10

[@SavidgeReads]

Thank you soooooo much, was chuffed with how this one turned out.

[@mradcaqbdb]

Great fun! You didn’t ask for our answers, but I’m going to give them anyway! 1. Best: Still My Government Means to Kill Me, which I read in January. 2. Best Sequel: The Collapsing Wave by Doug Johnstone, second book about my namesake, Sandy the 🐙! 3. New release: James by Percival Everett 4. Upcoming: ooh! Either the new Janice Hallett, The Examiner, or the new Costanza Casati, Babylonia. Can’t decide. 5. Disappointment: Murder on Lake Garuda 6. Surprise: Three Fires by Denise Mina. Absolutely tremendous audiobook! 7. Rasheed Newson 8. Crush: none 9. Cry: not really any 10. Beautiful: I think it will be Babylonia. I have preordered it, so it counts! 11. Read by EoY: too many

[@SavidgeReads]

I meant to ask but completely forgot. Ha. Was having too much fun. Very glad you shared yours.

[@susprime7018]

Tear jerkers for me, all O'Farrell, Hamnet of course, but After You'd Gone as well and number 1 teary-eyed, The Hand that First Held Mine. Glad you liked Mona of the Manor, I plan to read it. I know you don't like ships Simon, but one of my best reads ever was Nightship by Jess Kidd. Just ordered Chanel's Riviera by Anne de Courcy, it's about the twenties crowd, so before Chanel started sleeping with Nazis. I loved the Dior series on the tube. I also ordered the Duff Cooper Diaries by John Julius Norwich and Bad, Bad, Seymour Brown by Susan Isaacs, always have loved her books, especially Red, White and Blue. My main fiction crush has been that melancholy Russian Arkady Renko since Gorky Park and beyond, the last one Arkady was helping a Ukranian lady, I'm sure there are many Russians that did not agree with the Soviets or with Putin. Almost finished with the Anne de Courcy Nancy Cunard of Jazz Age Paris, enjoyed reading about Josephine Baker on her birthday and Hemingway was a creep, always liked Fitzgerald better anyway. See Simon, you made your smart Mommy even smarter. Loved seeing Louise.❤

[@SavidgeReads]

I made my smart mum even smarter? I don’t understand? I loved The Night Ship, there’s an interview with me and Jess Kidd in the back of the UK paperback. I loved Kate Mosse’s The Ghost Ship and even predicted I will love Saltblood when I read it soon. Hamnet… what a book!

[@susprime7018]

@SavidgeReads Louise 's comment on the book about pregnancy. Nightship was my favorite book that year. Plus, when I would visit the Dutch cemetery in Jakarta, it made me wonder about their hardship in coming early to Indonesia. I have Dutch ancestors who came early to America, which was not easy, but I think the ones who traveled to Batavia had it worse, certainly did in the historic account that inspired Nightship. Update, Anne de Courcy's Chanel's Riviera arrived today, it is about the Riviera from 1930-1944, so Chanel was sleeping with Nazis during the time period of part of the book.

[@MJ-in-Canada]

♫Ah, freak out! Le freak, c'est chic♫

[@SavidgeReads]

I simply HAD to use that song.

[@MeMyDogAndBooks]

Sociopath on audio is amazing

[@SavidgeReads]

Oooh thank you. Noted.

[@jacquelinemcmenamin8204]

Did you put 2023 in the description box just to check who reads it? I may have to watch this again s I was on loading and reloading a dishwasher and making to much noise while trying to listen. Best book so far? Difficult to answer. I’ve given so many books 5 stars so far. I’m going to say Enter Ghost by Isabella Hammad Sequel? No Anticipated release? I’ve preordered The God In the Woods byLiz Moore Disappointed? Time Shelter. I gave it 4 stars for writing quality but it went right over my head. Surprise ? Fayne by AnnMarie MacDonald. The audio was narrated by a brilliant voice artist and the story wowed me. New favourite author? Greta & Valdin was a book I loved. I want to see what Rebecca K Reilly writes next. Crush? My favourite character is a real person. Fern Brady’s memoir Strong Female Character Cry? Brotherless Night Beautiful? Sunburn by Chloe Michelle Howarth Too many to read. I made a plan to read 3 backlist books a month in January. In 6 months I’ve read one. 🍀👋☘️☕️📚📖📕🤗

[@SavidgeReads]

No, I just was in a rush as life is busy busy busy busy at the moment. Verging on too busy. Plus I’m human and make mistakes. Ha.

[@jacquelinemcmenamin8204]

@@SavidgeReads I was teasing you Simon. I hope you get a less heavy schedule soon.

[@marjoriedybec3450]

Crow Country has a beautiful cover. ;) That chat was so lovely. Best book so far? What is the Grass? My Life with Walt Whitman (M Doty) and Shakespeare: The Man Who Pays the Rent (J Dench) Best sequel? I don't believe I read any series (I hardly ever do.) A new release want to? My Mama, Cass (O E Kugell), and Liberty, Equality, Fashion: The Women who Styled the French Revolution (A Higgonet) Most anticipated release for the second half of the year? No idea. Biggest disappointment ? Now All Roads Lead to France: A Life of Edward Thomas (M Hollis) Biggest surprise? Peter Pan (J M Barrie--a violent and racist book, enchantingly written) Favourite new author (new to you)? Claire Keegan, NTM this year Favourite debut author? Chetna Maroo, Western Lane. Newest fictional crush? Felix Holt (G Eliot) Book that made you cry? What is The Grass (M Doty), A Man Called Ove (F Backman--sobbed all the way thru and its billed as humorous!) Most beautiful book you bought this year? none were remarkably gorgeous but I like Claire Keegan's cover. What are the books you need to read by the end of the year? Look Homeward Angel (T Wolfe,) Mayflower Lives: Pilgrims in a New World (M Whitlock,) Face of Britain: A Nation through Portraits (S Shama,) Slip/The Slip (P Peiffer,) another poetry collection by Billy Collins, and a Shakespeare play. Boy! what a book nerd. marjorieapple.substack.com

[@SavidgeReads]

Glad you enjoyed the chat. Blimey? That’s quite the list of books. Hahaha. And quite the mixture.

[@marjoriedybec3450]

@@SavidgeReads true.

[@teneshaanderson4761]

Agree Maggie o’farrell sign off on o’caledonia made me want to read it, not a good book

[@SavidgeReads]

Sadly not!!